Potential Boxster 987 S Purchase Advice

[sfojam]

Hello Renntech forum members.

Question 1: Based on the below, would you buy this car?

Question 2: What are the major known problems/issues with 987 Boxsters?

I'm a visiting new member from the bimmerfest, I'm evaluating a 2005 Boxster S for purchase. Silver/Black, with 55K, Tiptronic. Listed for $30K, non porsche dealer. No owner records available, but I may be able to track some down.

The car would be a daily driver/commuter.

I'm aware of the IMS issue with the M96 motor, but wanted to ask some savvy people about issues with 987s in general.

Thanks in advance for your guidance/posts.

[paulv]

There's not much info to base any opinion but my personal feelings are:

1) Without any records (owner or dealer provided) I would walk away -- there could be nothing wrong with the car, I'm just skeptical when it comes to buying used hi-perf cars.

2) I think that the IMS & RMS designs were changed for the 987 during mid-year of the 2006MY, but there are smarter people than me here who could possibly verify that.

Even with records, there could still be problems like the engine being way over rev'd in the past.

Good luck.

Regards,

paul...

[sfojam]

Paul,

Thanks for your time.

1) Based on the carfax/vehicle history, I was planning/hoping to track down records from the carfax based on the vehicles location and local dealers. The assumption is that the car was serviced at the dealer where it was purchased.

2) is the price competitive, or even reasonable?

3) Would a decent PPI and interface with PST2 be able to track "overrevving" - if so, I may schedule an appointment with a dealer to verify these issues.

thanks again all!

[Bostonduce]

Overrevs????

It's a tip. You could sit there all day with your foot to the floor and it would just bounce off the rev limiter.

Mechanical overrevs, (a.k.a. "The Money Shift") are impossible on a tip.

Beware of Carfax reports. They can be incomplete. Any accident repairs not run through an insurance company do not show.

Assuming no recent service, or neglect, expect $2,000 to bring the service level up to date (oil, all filters, coolant, transmission oil, brake fluids)

If you like the car it's one thing, if you're looking to get a "deal", you don't have it @ $30k; too many miles, too many questions.

BD

[sfojam]

Updates, and a follow up question.

After speaking with the esteemed MikeFocke, I have seen the light. Many of my purchase related questions have been answered.

The purchase equation has developed somewhat as well: The car is being sold for $29,845.

Through the Carfax, I now have COMPLETE service history since new, and will have undergone a PPI by a dealer that has previously serviced it.

Spent most of its life in Southern California (lease to 39K) before being sold and owned briefly in Portland - 20K miles in 18 months to approximately 55K.

The vehicle will also have what I assume will be the 60K service. I'm waiting on the PPI and full options list.

I ask again: Is this a good deal/would you buy this car?

Silver 05 boxster S tiptronic, bose and 19" carrera II (Lobster claw style) wheels. No navi.

Good (if not very good) service history.

Car will be used as a daily driver and general stimulant/antidepressant in San Francisco, CA.

[danieldolin]

Updates, and a follow up question.

After speaking with the esteemed MikeFocke, I have seen the light. Many of my purchase related questions have been answered.

The purchase equation has developed somewhat as well: The car is being sold for $29,845.

Through the Carfax, I now have COMPLETE service history since new, and will have undergone a PPI by a dealer that has previously serviced it.

Spent most of its life in Southern California (lease to 39K) before being sold and owned briefly in Portland - 20K miles in 18 months to approximately 55K.

The vehicle will also have what I assume will be the 60K service. I'm waiting on the PPI and full options list.

I ask again: Is this a good deal/would you buy this car?

Silver 05 boxster S tiptronic, bose and 19" carrera II (Lobster claw style) wheels. No navi.

Good (if not very good) service history.

Car will be used as a daily driver and general stimulant/antidepressant in San Francisco, CA.

As others have said, if you like the car, that is one thing, but it does not seem like a "deal"... high miles / not CPO. If it were me, I would either find one that I liked that was CPO, then at least you have 2 years for something to go wrong as a result of prior owner abuse. Just a quick search turned up a red 2005 S, a little higher optioned than the one you described, with 40,000 miles CPO listed at $33,500 in Austin TX. If you are willing to stick with a higher mile car, there is a 2006 with 63,000 Silver / Black leather with Tip / Bose / Xenon listed for $28,500 as well. For me, I would rather have the peice of mind with CPO.

Edited June 10, 2010 by danieldolin

[John Y]

Agree, it's not a deal - and I just bought a 6-spd 2005 S with almost 55K miles, moderately optioned, AND CPO, at the Porsche dealer for $30.1K a couple of months ago. The one you're looking at is not CPO, and although it's an expensive option, Tiptronic cars appear to fetch less, from my research. I would probably want to see that car a couple thou less. Must it be a Tiptronic?